Why Are Sea Turtles Always in Tears? The Real Story Behind Their "Crying"

We often associate crying with pain or sadness, whether it's a human or an animal. But there's a fascinating exception in the animal kingdom—a creature that seems to cry constantly. So, which creature is this, and why does it constantly shed tears? The answer lies with the sea turtle, a unique animal that spends most of its life in the ocean, eating fish and drinking seawater to survive. However, the high salt content in seawater poses a challenge. While most creatures can rid their bodies of excess salt through their kidneys, sea turtles accumulate so much salt that their kidneys are unable to excrete large volumes of salt via urine. Instead, they expel this surplus salt through tears, released from glands near their eyes. This constant shedding of tears is why sea turtles appear to be perpetually crying.

Sea turtles are often seen with tears streaming down their faces, leading to the common belief that they are crying. However, the truth behind these "tears" is not rooted in emotion but in a fascinating biological process essential to their survival.

The primary reason sea turtles appear to cry is due to the need to regulate the salt levels in their bodies. Sea turtles live in saltwater environments and, like all animals, require a balance of salt and water to survive. When they consume seawater, they ingest large amounts of salt. Unlike humans, sea turtles cannot filter out this excess salt through their kidneys. Instead, they have developed specialized glands, known as lachrymal glands, located near their eyes. These glands are highly efficient at removing salt from their bloodstream and excreting it in the form of concentrated salty tears.

When a sea turtle is on land, especially during the nesting season when females come ashore to lay eggs, these tears are more noticeable. As the turtle digs in the sand to create a nest, the extra salt that has accumulated in its body is expelled through these glands, giving the appearance of crying. This process not only helps maintain the turtle’s internal salt balance but also keeps its eyes clear of sand and debris while on the beach.

In addition to salt regulation, these tears play a role in protecting the turtle’s eyes from infections and maintaining their overall health. The tears contain mucus and proteins that help lubricate the eyes and ward off harmful bacteria, ensuring that their vision remains sharp for navigating through the ocean.

It’s also important to note that these tears are not an indication of distress or sadness. While the sight of a "crying" sea turtle may evoke empathy, it’s simply a natural and necessary part of their physiology. This adaptation has allowed sea turtles to thrive in marine environments for millions of years, demonstrating the incredible ways in which these ancient creatures have evolved to meet the challenges of their habitat.

So, while it may look like sea turtles are always in tears, the real story behind their "crying" is a demonstration of their incredible adaptability and survival tactics in the harsh and challenging conditions of the ocean. Their tears are a vital tool in maintaining their health, not an expression of emotion.